HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Parasitica > Ichneumonidae > Ichneumoninae > Ichneumonini

I really would like to get some better photos of this species, but at the moment this is all I have. Fortunately, despite the general lack of detail, this individual was positively identified as the 'dark form' (ssp.adsentator) of the species.

The 'typical - nominate form' (ssp.culpator) has dark red tergites T2 & T3, partially reddish-brown legs and white bands on the antennae. The 'dark form', pictured here, is entirely black. Females have a very short ovipositor and a characteristic blunt tooth on the rear coxae.

I can't find any specific information regarding the various forms other than what I've noted above, but I believe there's also an intermediate variant (ssp.cincticornis).

Not surprisingly, as is the case with many ichneumonid wasps, it's poorly recorded - just over 30 confirmed records in recent years, but quite a lot of those are from my local area, including a couple from this particular location. I assume that it's probably a lot more common than the records suggest.

Adults are active from as early as March or April through to October or even November subject to the weather. The males may be found nectaring on umbellifers, whereas the females are usually busy searching for their host larvae.

Updated, March 25 (v.2)